Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 13 matches played on the 21st matchday of the 2024 MLS season on Wednesday, June 19.
Matchday 21 action saw 51 goals scored, which was tied for the third-most goals scored in a single matchday in MLS history. Among the goal scorers were 15 players aged 23 years old or younger, including Real Salt Lake star Andrés Gómez (21) and 16-year-old New York Red Bulls Homegrown Julian Zakrzewski Hall.
Additionally, Columbus Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe became just the 10th player in league history to make 400 regular-season appearances with his start last night, and Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chará surpassed Nick Rimando for most regular-season wins with one club, securing the 148th of his career with the Timbers.
Acosta’s Brace Leads FC Cincinnati in a 4-3 Thriller Over Philadelphia Union
In a back-and-forth, seven-goal game, FC Cincinnati squeaked out a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Union with Luciano Acosta once again playing the role of hero for the club. Acosta scored twice and added an assist to become the seventh player to record 100 goal contributions (43 goals, 57 assists) in regular-season play over a four-season span in league history. With the win, Cincinnati is 24-4 since the start of the 2023 MLS regular season in games decided by a single goal.
Acosta scored in the second half (49’, Watch Here) and in stoppage time (90+10’, Watch Here ) to lead Cincinnati to its fourth-straight win against the Union at TQL Stadium. The reigning Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player recorded his 47th assist in regular-season play since 2022 and moved into ninth place in league history with 92 assists on a goal by Kevin Kelsy (29’, Watch Here).
Acosta’s second goal at 99:05 was the latest goal scored in Cincinnati’s MLS history and was the 10th-latest game-winning goal in league history. The Argentine leads the league with six game-winning goals so far this season.
FC Cincinnati returns to action this Saturday, June 22 at home against the New England Revolution (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Homegrown Hero Hall Salvages a Point for the Red Bulls
With his team staring defeat in the eyes with moments left in the match, 16-year-old New York Red Bulls Homegrown forward Julian Hall stepped onto the field in the 86th minute and scored a crucial, game-tying goal in the 87th minute to secure a point on the road (Watch Here).
At 16 years and 81 days old, Hall became the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history and the second-youngest goalscorer in league history. It was the second-fastest goal scored by a substitute in club history, coming just 53 seconds after Hall entered the match, which is only behind Fabian Espindola, who scored 22 seconds after subbing in on September 14, 2013.
Hall became the second-youngest MLS debutant in league history at 15 years and 190 days old last season, with Freddy Adu holding the record at 14 years and 306 days old in his debut. Adu is also the youngest goalscorer in league history, scoring six goals between the ages of 14 and 16 during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Hall and the Red Bulls return home to Red Bull Arena on Saturday, June 22 for Matchday 22 action when they host Toronto FC (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Gómez and Luna Lead Real Salt Lake Past Sporting Kansas City
Powered by the performances of 20-year-old Diego Luna, who tallied two assists, and 21-year-old Andrés Gómez, who notched two goals, Real Salt Lake extended their unbeaten streak to a club single-season record 15 games in a 4-3 victory against Sporting Kansas City.
Gómez scored in both halves (14’, Watch Here, and 51’, Watch Here) to become the youngest player in RSL history to record 15 goal contributions in a single season (21 years and 281 days old). Luna became the youngest player to record 20-career goal contributions in club history (20 years and 286 days old) with his second assist on the night.
Gómez, with 10 goals and seven assists this season, is the only player under the age of 23 with at least 15 goal contributions so far this season as well. Additionally, only Luna (nine) has more assists than the Colombian midfielder among players 23 years old or younger.
Homegrown Gavin Beavers also got in on the action as he became the second-youngest goalkeeper in league history to save a penalty-kick attempt at 19 years and 51 days old (23’, Watch Here). Anderson Julio (33’, Watch Here) and Matt Crooks (84’, Watch Here) added goals for RSL in the win.
Real Salt Lake will host LA Galaxy at America First Field on Saturday, June 22 (9:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Kamara’s Record Night Powers LAFC to 1-1 Draw Against Austin FC
Los Angeles Football Club forward Kei Kamara scored the game-tying goal in the 90th minute to earn a 1-1 draw on the road at Austin FC.
Kamara’s goal (90’, Watch Here) was the 145th MLS regular-season goal of his career in 430 matches, tying Landon Donovan (145 goals, 340 matches) for the second-most goals in MLS history. Chris Wondolowski holds the league record with 171 goals in 413 matches.
Kamara also became the first player in MLS history to score in 17 different seasons with his goal on Saturday. With the draw, LAFC extended its unbeaten streak to nine consecutive matches in all competitions.
LAFC returns to BMO Stadium this Saturday and hosts to the San Jose Earthquakes (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). Austin FC will travel to Allianz Field in Minnesota to take on Minnesota United this weekend (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Colorado, Dallas End Hat Trick Droughts
Entering Matchday 21, the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas had not had a player score a hat trick in regular-season play since 2022. Both clubs’ droughts ended on Wednesday night behind the play of each team’s club-record signings in Djordje Mihailovic and Petar Musa, respectively.
Mihailovic got things going early at CITYPARK, as he pounced onto a throw-in that bounced up neatly for him to head into the back of the net. The U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder would score his second goal in the 60th minute, intercepting a quick throw by the goalkeeper before bending his shot into the net. Mihailovic topped off his performance from the penalty spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and scoring from 12 yards out (Watch All Three Goals Here).
Musa ended a five-game scoreless drought in fashion with his first goal of the night, latching onto a long pass from Paul Arriola before firing his shot low and hard past the goalkeeper. He scored his second in the 38th minute, finishing off a cutting counterattack with a swift first-touch finish. The Croatian became the first European-born player to score a hat trick for Dallas in the 62nd minute after Sebastian Lletget assisted Musa for his third score of the night (Watch All Three Goals Here).
